Jeep Brand, WSL Make Splash with Global Partnership

The Jeep brand and the World Surf League (WSL) have announced a first-of-its-kind partnership that will make the Jeep Brand the official and exclusive global automotive partner of the WSL. Jeep will now own the naming rights of the men's and women's Championship Tour (CT) rankings, now known as the Jeep Leaderboard.

The Jeep brand's association with sports is longstanding. Ongoing partnerships include Juventus, USA Basketball and, for 12 years, Jeep has been the automotive sponsor of ESPN Winter X Games. The brand's partnership with the WSL is the first partnership that reaches across the world, with events in countries and locations including Brazil, China, Japan, Australia, France, Spain, Fiji and the USA.

"This sport embodies the passion we have for breaking personal boundaries and making the most out of every day," said Mike Manley, President and CEO of Jeep Brand. "The World Surf League represents a community closely aligned to ours and I believe our partnership is a natural fit. I am very excited for the opportunity to be involved in the resurgence of an amazing sport."

Adriano de Souza is the current No. 1 on the Jeep Leaderboard and will dawn the Jeep yellow jersey at the upcoming Oi Rio Pro.WSL / Surfing/ Corey Wilson

The Jeep brand will use its frontrunner status to infuse professional surfing's most sought-after properties including sponsorship of the Tour Leaderboard and the yellow jersey indicating the rankings leader. In addition to on-site activations as the ultimate surf vehicle and specialized content offerings, Jeep will be awarding two vehicles, one to each of the 2015 Champions, come end of year and has signed on as the title sponsor for the WSL Longboard Championships in China.

"The WSL is a sport built on the back of the pioneering, progressive and innovative spirit and it is this common DNA that we share with the iconic Jeep brand," Paul Speaker, WSL CEO, said. "Coming off a record-setting 2014, the sport of professional surfing has never been in a stronger position, in and out of the water. We are humbled and gratified that a brand with the unparalleled heritage and authenticity of Jeep shares our vision for the WSL."

The Jeep brand partnership with the WSL will be featured on its own unique page, jeep.com/wsl. There, consumers will be able to explore content from the most recent events, including the updated Tour leaderboard and the wearer of the coveted yellow jersey. Surf content, including an interactive schedule of upcoming WSL CT events and a gallery of top videos and photos will show off some of the mind-blowing action.